Transcript Autobiography Portfolio

Writing Portfolio:
An Autobiography
Assignment
“Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own
life,
or whether that station will be held by anybody else,
these pages must show.”
— David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
Prologue (or Introduction): Explain the
significance of your title, making clear why it
is relevant to your life in particular. Introduce
yourself gracefully to your reader and
capture our attention. Include a brief
description of this writing project and its
purposes — in your own words.
Likes / Dislikes List: Make TWO columns,
one titled “Likes,” the other “Dislikes,” and list
from TEN to FIFTEEN specific items in each
column. Avoid naming specific classmates
and teachers by generalizing. For example,
“that mean teacher who’s making me write
an autobiography,” not my name
Sensory Experiences: The five senses
allow us to perceive whatever is tangible, or
concrete. A sensory experience is something
we can taste, touch, smell, see, or hear. For
example, ice-cold water-melon, hot dogs
sizzling over a charcoal fire, mosquito bites,
fireworks, and the music of the ice-cream
wagon are sensory experiences I associate
with a Fourth of July picnic. Describe a
specific time and place which recalls rich
sensory experiences for you. Include at least
TWO details that appeal to each of the FIVE
senses.
Metaphorical Definitions: This kind of
definition helps make abstract words easier to
under-stand by giving a specific concrete
example. A famous metaphorical definition is
“Happiness is a warm puppy.” For you,
happiness may be something very different — a
raise in your allowance, a banana split, a room
of your own. Write metaphorical definitions of
TEN different abstract nouns. Your concrete
example must be something specific that you
can sense — taste, touch, smell, see, or hear.
METAPHORICAL = ABSTRACT NOUN + IS + CONCRETE
EXAMPLE
DEFINITION
A Quality Personality:
In J. Ruth Gendler’s The
Book of Qualities, 70 abstract qualities come to life,
walking and talking, borrowing Grandmother’s shawl and
telling scary stories late into the night… personification at
its best! Precise, specific images reveal each abstract
quality as a vivid personality. After you read samples in
class, choose one quality from the list provided. Check
the dictionary and the thesaurus, exploring possible
meanings and hunting down synonyms.
These qualities are real people, with weird relatives,
bad friends, unique clothing styles, and strange stories to
tell. Make your chosen quality a real personality, too.
Complete a sensory CLUSTER for your quality — sight,
smell, taste, touch, sound. Then write and carefully polish
a ONE-to-THREE-paragraph personification of your
quality. Make every word count on this one!
Color Your World: In color, and about
color, this assignment honors every crayon
ever nibbled by any kid. Although you don’t
have to use crayons, use the color(s)
themselves as part of your writing. You could
write a poem about the things you associate
with a specific color, such as all the blues
there are! Or explain the colors you associate
with different emotions. Or make lists of best
colors to wear or drive in or…You have
freedom with content here, since color is the
key ingredient. Maybe a myth about “How
Pink Was Born”?
Room Sweet Room: We are territorial
animals, instinctively seeking a place we can
call our own. The rooms we live in and how
we decorate them are as revealing as our
clothing. Examine your own room and all the
things that make it uniquely yours. Describe
the room, not just by listing the things in it,
but by conveying the feelings you have for
the room and the items in it.
Personal Metaphors: Make a list of
metaphorical comparisons. Think, “If I were
an animal, what kind of animal would I be?”
For each item, write the general LABEL and
then your specific comparison. Be realistic,
be somewhat honest, and be able to explain
your choices. Don’t say you are a rose, if
you’re really a daisy.
1. Animal
2. Car
3. Article of
Clothing
4. Day of the Week
5. Food
6. Color
7. Movie
8. Fragrance
9. Type of Building
10. Plant
11. Musical Instrument
12. Geometric Shape
13. Piece of Furniture
14. Song
15. Season of the Year
16. Television Character
17. Cartoon or Comic
Character
18. Appliance or Machinery
19. Natural Phenomenon
20. Word
Extended Metaphors: Go back to your list
of personal metaphors. Choose FIVE that
you can extend by explaining the comparison
in detail. Write a paragraph for each personal
metaphor by giving four or five specific points
of comparison. If you are like an alley cat,
discuss four characteristics of an alley cat
and explain the ways in which you have the
same characteristics.
Symbolic Recipe: Write a symbolic recipe
for yourself. This means your ingredients are
not blood, muscle, bone, and a hank of hair,
but abstract qualities and personality traits
(like patience, friendliness, humor). What is
really necessary to create you. Follow
standard recipe format: a list of ingredients
and exact measurements, followed by a
paragraph of instructions, advice about the
proper sequence of the steps, and any tips or
warnings.
The Ultimate All-Purpose Excuse: Just in
case you are tardy some day, write an
elaborate, exaggerated, fantastic excuse for
yourself. Be as creative as you can. In about
150 WORDS
Telling Tales: Think back to memories you
associate with family storytelling. You know,
the ones you hear over and over every
holiday. Maybe these tales are the legends
that have given your family courage in
hardship? Maybe they are religious stories or
goofy songs or true family history? Maybe
they all seem to be about what a bad kid you
were? Embarrassing, hilarious,
unbelievable? Retell a story you remember
as part of your family’s heritage OR makeup
one you wish had been told (and may tell in
your own family circles later).
Unfinished Sentences: Complete each of
the following sentences by expanding them
into short paragraphs. As always, be specific.
1.I usually worry about...
2.I feel angry when...
3.I’m moody when...
4.I’m happiest when...
5.I feel confident when...
6.I feel frustrated when...
7.I feel depressed when...
8.I feel comfortable when...
9.I feel nervous when...
10.I feel sentimental when...
Personal Symbol: Write about an object
that has special symbolic meaning for you. It
might be a gift from someone you love, an
award of which you are proud, a souvenir
from a place you miss, a childhood toy you
still treasure, a family photograph, whatever.
Describe the object, appealing to the senses
as appropriate and giving specific details.
Also explain what it symbolizes for you.
Map of Life: Draw a stylized map, beginning
with your birth and ending with the present.
Along the way, include little labels or
diagrams of what you remember as important
events, places, and people in your life. Keep
all items in order, but leave enough space
between individual items to fill in as you think
of additional information. Write small since it
must fit on ONE page. You may use
branching paths or a legend.
A Mysterious Place: Describe in a FULL
page some place that seemed mysterious,
exotic, or fearful to you. Concentrate on
creating the same impression on your reader
by a careful selection of sensory details
which recreate the setting. Help us recognize
what was special about this place. Or make
up a fantasy place that has these
qualities…just describe it well enough for us
to believe in it too.
Synectics: Synectics makes the familiar strange
and the strange familiar. It is the basis of all
metaphor and involves the process of creative
problem-solving. Each of the following sets of
questions ask for choices between unrelated
answers — answers which can be logically related
somehow — and yet, there is no single correct
answer. BUT correct answers would rephrase the
question as part of the answer.
Think carefully about the choices offered, make
a choice, and then explain your reasons for choosing
as you have. It is your explanation which proves your
answer “right” or “wrong.” Answer at least TEN.
1. Which is wiser? a pen or a pencil?
2. Which is easier to forgive? a street or a sidewalk?
3. Which is smarter? a clock or a calendar?
4. Which is easier to teach? a question or an answer?
5. Which is like a contest? a cloud or a sunset?
6. Which is more fearful? new or old?
7. Which is like a promise? mathematics or science?
8. Which is more difficult? a dream or a nightmare?
9. Which is braver? an hour or a year?
10. Which has more pride? an entrance or an exit?
11. Which is easier to close? a road or a map?
12. Which is like a legend? a mirror or glass?
13. Which is more suspenseful? rain or snow?
14. Which has less charm? a signature or an autograph?
15. Which is more trustworthy? history or literature?
16. Which is more useful? a friend or an enemy?
17. Which is sadder? seek or find?
18. Which costs more? a home or a house?
19. Which is happier? music or art?
20. Which is like a valentine? the truth or a lie?
A Day in the Life: Write about a part of your
life as if it were a passage from a novel.
Refer to yourself in the THIRD PERSON —
not “I woke up” but rather “she woke up.”
Exaggerate, elaborate, and prevaricate if you
wish — there’s truth to be found in fiction,
too.
These Words Belong to Me: Make a list of
words which have special power and magic.
Think of common words with uncommon
meanings, or even strange new words which
allow you to think a new kind of thought. For
example, do you know what “serendipity”
means? Find out why it’s so wonderful.
What’s ironic about a “scar”? List and define
at least TEN words. For each word, explain
why this particular word belongs to you. Or
perhaps give me a hint hidden in a question?
In Other Words: Try expressing yourself
through someone else’s words. Select at
least ten “Quotable Quotes” which express
your philosophy of life. Choose quotations
which represent your thought on several
aspects of life – not only love, but also faith,
success, integrity. character, friendship, etc.
List the TEN you have selected, including
ATTRIBUTION (who said it).
Flashback: If you could relive one day or
experience in your life, what would it be? You
might choose to relive this time because it
was so wonderful you want to experience it
again, or you might choose a day you want to
change in some way. Identify the day or
experience, tell why it was so important to
you, and explain what reliving it would
accomplish.
Remembrance of Things Present: In
twenty years you will have forgotten most of
the things that fill your life now. What are the
things about who you are now, what you
enjoy and value, what you do with your time,
and so on that you want to remember twenty
years from now? Imagine what will be
important to your memory of yourself later
on. Write these things down.
As Time Goes Bye-Bye: Carpe diem (or,
Seize the day!). Before time passes you by,
what things do you want to do? What one
thing do you most want to do by the time you
are thirty-five? Why? What have you already
said good-bye to – people, places, ideas,
stages in your life, hopes, dreams, sorrows?
Reflect on those good-byes and/or grand
plans. Make a list with short explanations, or
concentrate on explaining one specific goal
or farewell in depth
My Own List of Lists: Now in its third
edition, The Book of Lists lists facts from
history, literature, science, entertainment,
etc. For your list of lists, I have selected more
personal topics. Write the general LABEL for
each category and UNDERLINE it. Then list
from SIX to TEN specific items under each
category.
1. People who have influenced me...
2. Places that make me happy...
3. Places I would like to go...
4. Things in people which I like
5. Things in people which I dislike...
6. Things that worry me...
7. Things I would like to know how to do...
8. Things that have moved me...
9. Ideas that intrigue me...
10.My personal favorites...
Cheer Yourself Up!: Got the blues? Down
in the dumps? Make a list of crazy things you
could do to distract yourself from your
troubles. Some possibilities — Play Frisbee
with your old, worn-out records, smile all the
way through class and make your teacher
wonder what’s going on, or cover your front
teeth with foil to look like braces. Think of
your own ideas, both sane and crazy. You
might want to draw cartoons to go with some
of your ideas.
Metamorphosis: Make a list of objects,
places, ideas that could stand for your
younger self, symbols for the way you used
to be. Then make a contrasting list that could
stand for your current self, symbols that
represent the way you are now. Sort of an “I
used to be…but now I am…” kind of chart.
Use these contrasting LISTS to write a FREE
VERSE POEM on your transformation.
Picture This: Find an acceptable visual
IMAGE that you can actually include in your
portfolio — a photo of friends, a copy of a
well-known painting, magazine clipping,
original artwork, etc. Paste it on the page
with IDENTIFICATION (caption, title and
artist, bibliography, etc.) Then write a
RESPONSE, clearing stating your opinion of
the work and supported by details from the
work. Sound familiar?
Look Who I Look Up To: Think of three
people of established reputation whom you
admire. You may need to do some formal
research on these people, so don't choose
your Aunt Helen unless she's in the
encyclopedia. You must be specific. If you
admire Martin Luther King, Jr., saying he
fought for civil rights isn't enough. Exactly
what did he do? Devote one solid paragraph
to each person, telling what each person has
done to deserve your admiration
Remembering the Child: Imagine yourself a
sweet little toddler. How did others see you
when you were very little? Interview
someone who knew you as a small child -one of your parents or grandparents, an
older sibling, or an aunt or uncle, for
example. Write about their favorite memory
of you. Some possibilities are when you
learned how to walk or ride a bike, a
memorable sports game or musical event, a
visit to grandparents, a special birthday, a
fulfilling and relaxing evening at home, or
anything else that stands out.
One Medium Suitcase: Imagine that you
are leaving home forever, and you can only
take what will fit in one medium-sized
suitcase with you. Specifically, what will you
take with you and why? Explain.
The Perfect Present: Since I am the perfect
teacher, I have the ability to select the perfect
present for each of you. It’s something
you’ve always wanted, something you’ve
secretly yearned for. It’s not a black TransAm or designer jeans because there’s a
catch -- the gift is intangible, or abstract.
This means that you cannot perceive it with
the five senses. For example, you might
want patience, self-confidence, intuition. Tell
me what the gift is, why it’s the perfect gift,
why you need it, and how it will affect your
life.
Memorable Event: Include a ticket stub,
program, or some other tangible evidence to
represent an event you experienced this year
that in some way was memorable. Describe
the event, with whom you attended, what
was special about it, if you would do it again,
etc. For example, you might describe a
concert of your favorite group, a special
movie you anticipated, a family reunion, or a
birthday party. Don’t forget the evidence!
How to. . .: Write a paper explaining how to
do something somewhat strange -- how to
wreck a car, how to break a heart, how to
survive football practice, how to make
enemies, how to lose a job, how to get
suspended, how to be miserable, etc. This
can be done as a list. Get the idea?
Always Say Never: Make a list of books
you never want to read again, places you
never want to go again, people you hope
you’ll never see again, things you hope you’ll
never have to do again, and/or any other
“nevers” you’d like to explore. Now spend a
page explaining the lists.
Are You Hungry?: In great detail, using lots
of description, tell us about your favorite
meal. Where is it served? When? Who cooks
it? What dishes does it include? What's your
favorite part of your favorite meal? This can
be a home-cooked meal or a fancy dinner
out or even your usual fast food...whatever
makes you lick your lips.
Where I’m From: Using George Ella Lyon’s
poem as your inspiration, compile a list of
specifics that reveal your roots. Specificity is
the key – exact things, places, traditions,
sayings…Let where and what and who you
are from reveal how you have become who
you are now.
Deck of 52: The enormously popular 52
Deck series offers whimsically illustrated
adventures and activities -- 52 Alternatives to
TV, 52 Cheap Dates, 52 Relaxing Rituals, 52
Things to Do in a Museum, 52 Great Books,
52 Romantic Films, 52 Adventures in
Chicago (or LA or our town), etc. Create your
own concept for a deck and come up with a
working list of what will be on each card. You
may collaborate with up to three more people
on this, maybe even dividing the deck into
four suits like playing cards.
The Examined Life: Divide a sheet of paper
in half. On one side, list the best things
about yourself. On the other side, list your
greatest faults. Your good side must be at
least as long as your bad side! Note that,
like everyone else in the world, you have a
combination of traits.
Annual Report: Write a kind of annual
report on the state of yourself. Compared to
what you were a year ago, what are you
now? What do you hope to be a year from
now? What do you expect to be? Do you
expect to make “progress”? If so, how has
your last year proven your ability to
progress? Are you better off than you were a
year ago? Or worse off?
Ekphrasis: Select (and include) a painting
or photograph which inspires you, and …be
inspired! Write a poem, a story, an essay, or
even create a parody. Include the original
artwork and fully attribute it.
Visually Speaking: Cut out words, phrases,
logos, small photos, whatever impresses you
visually and create a collage which
expresses your ideas on a specific subject.
There should be a title on there somewhere.
Lessons I Learned After It Was Too Late:
It seems that we always learn the most
important lessons the hard way, usually
when it’s too late, when we’ve already made
our big mistakes. Look back over your life
and write approximately a PAGE on the
lessons you learned after it was too late.
The Door: Imagine you are sitting in your
English class and it is almost time for the bell
to ring. You are to write two paragraphs by
completing the sentences below. Let your
imagination loose, expanding and
extrapolating from the imaginative to the
unbelievable. Think of dozens and dozens of
details for each topic.
1.When I walk out that door, I want . . .
2.When I walk out that door, I don’t want . . .
Advice to the Young: Based upon your
experience, what practical information about
life, living, and growing up could you give to a
younger person? You may write this to a
generalized “young person,” to the child you
hope to have some day, to a specific young
person you know, or even to your younger
self.
Valuable Lessons: List the TEN most
valuable lessons you’ve ever learned. Write a
sentence explaining why each lesson was
valuable to you. Consider such things as
learning to multiply, but also think of the more
abstract lessons concerned with wisdom and
experience rather than skills. Once again, let
your list “jell” for a few days. Then rank the
lessons from one to ten in the margin.
Futures -- Fantasy and Fact: This is a threepart assignment. In the first paragraph, pretend that
you can see yourself 10 years from now. Describe
your future as it could be if all your wishes came
true. This description is “romantic.” In the second
paragraph, describe what your life will be like 10
years from now if you continue just as you are now.
No miracles or magic allowed. This view is “realistic.”
For most people, the “romantic” and “realistic”
descriptions are very different. In the third paragraph,
analyze the discrepancy. Discuss the specific
differences between your two descriptions and how
you feel about these differences. Finally, explain the
steps you can take to find a sensible compromise
between the romantic and the realistic.
Epilogue: Imagine that a complete stranger
just picked up this portfolio. The stranger
reads it from page one to page thirty-nine.
How would this stranger conceive of the
author? What kind of person appears to
have filled these pages? Write a
CHARACTER SKETCH of the person
captured in these pages from an outsider’s
point of view. Refer to SPECIFIC PIECES of
writing to support the stranger’s impression
of the author (you, of course).